The Orioles welcomed Samuel Basallo to the large leagues in a giant, large means.
The staff is finalizing a historic eight-year, $67 million contract with the rookie catcher, in response to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, lower than per week after his MLB call-up.
Basallo’s deal will kick in for the 2026 season and might max out at $88.5 million — the most important pre-arbitration extension for a catcher, per Passan.
The 21-year-old native of the Dominican Republic made his Orioles debut on Aug. 17 and in 4 video games since is 4 for 14 with 5 RBIs and a .286/.333/.357 slash line.
It’s a promising begin for the lefty, who signed a then-organizational document $1.3 million worldwide deal in 2021 and has risen to the No. 9 prospect in all of baseball, per MLB’s rankings.
He rapidly climbed the organizational ladder, reaching Triple-A as a 20-year-old after going from Low-A to Double-A in 2023.
He arrives in Baltimore after posting a .270/.377/.590 slash line with 23 homer runs and 67 RBIs in 76 video games with Triple-A Norfolk this season.
He’ll additionally get an early probability to stake his declare behind the plate with incumbent backstop Adley Rutschman on the IL with an indirect pressure for the second time in three months.
Rutschman, cited by The Submit’s Jon Heyman as a prime commerce candidate this coming offseason, is within the midst of his worst offensive season as a professional.
With the 27-year-old shelved, Basallo can stake his declare on the place with the Orioles in an intriguing place on the finish of a misplaced season.
He’ll must work on his protection, a tough a part of his sport as famous by MLB scouts, although his “cannon” of an arm is a significant constructive.
The staff may decide to play him at first base or designated hitter, as effectively.
